Introduction
Slough is a key economic area for the Thames Valley and the Chamber is keen to support the Draft Cleaner Slough Strategy.We welcome the recognition given to the scale of the problem and are pleased to see that the views of the business community are in tune with the opinions of the Citizens Jury. We also recognise that many people and organizations are responsible for resolving the situation.

A clean, tidy, safe town is important to all the residents, visitors and businesses of Slough. Slough is the gateway to the Thames Valley and is striving to attract and retain a wide range of business and community organizations.

Partnership Working
The Chamber believes that the key to tackling the problem rests in improving partnerships, in particular SBC taking its responsibilities seriously to provide a safe and clean environment for residents and business. Business will support appropriate initiatives provided it believes that the statutory authorities are doing all they can to tackle the issues.

Enforcement
We fully endorse the finding of the Citizens Jury that there should be more emphasis on monitoring and enforcement. We believe that improvement will only be made by making it clear to offenders that their behavior will not be tolerated. We would expect to see specific targets identified to allow the problem to be quantified and recognition given to its solution.

Education
The Chamber will support the strategy by communicating appropriate messages to our members. We will work with SBC where required to jointly or individually communicate to the media the action being taken.

Service Provison
The setting of high standards for service provision contracts is crucial to the long-term achievement of the objectives in the strategy. Services under the councils control must be managed effectively and alternative providers should be sought where current providers are not achieving targets. Targets should be established for responding to specific areas of concern.

Resources
We are keen to ensure that SBC are making full use of current resources. We would not expect to see additional taxes being levied on the business community.

Summary
The Slough Chamber supports this welcome initiative. We will work with SBC to communicate to our members the actions being required. We recognise the scale of the issues.

We expect to see clear areas and sectors identified for action. We would suggest that SBC target some quick wins to enable the strategy to build momentum. Clear, quantifiable objectives must be set to enable the strategy to be delivered and monitored. Unless the strategy or subsequent reports, identify specific areas of concern for action, it will not be achieved.

Bill McCardle
Policy
Slough Chamber
Thames Valley Chamber
Commerce House
Bart Rd Slough

Tel. 01753 870582
Mobile 07768 660697
Email: mailto:policy@thamesvalleychamber.co.uk